User comments for Geoffrey

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This is such a cool name for a man, so strong and masculine - just like Geoffrey Rush! I'm so glad he is on the famous bearers/namesakes list. Go Aussies! The name really suits him too, and it is the best spelling. It also really goes nicely with his last name.

Geoffrey Jellineck (played by Paul Dinello) was a character in the short-lived sitcom "Strangers With Candy." He was a high school art teacher who had a not-so-secret affair with the history teacher, Chuck Noblet (played by Stephen Colbert).

I think that Geoffrey is a wonderful name. I never really liked the name Jeffery, but when I heard of Geoffrey, I loved it. I think that is because of the way it is spelt. The traditional spelling is much more pleasing to the eye and interesting than Jeffery.

My husband and I sought a fine name for our little boy that would be a nod to his English heritage, a pleasing reminder of our interest in English history (the Planatagenets) and literature (Geoffrey Chaucer) and a respectful reminder of a relative with a "G" name. Geoffrey was a handsome and historical name that perfectly fit the bill. Also, it's lovely that he's the only "Geoffrey" he knows.

I prefer Geoffrey to Jeffrey. Jeffrey seems extremely unsophisticated to me, while Geoffrey I find quite the opposite.

― Anonymous User 4/3/2007

I was named Geoffrey by my fathers' Social Studies class. I grew up hating it! I was teased because of the spelling, being called "Geeeoff" or "Godfrey" or "George". And not just by fellow friends but by teachers as well (how educated and tactful they are huh?).

I was actually given "detention" at school and then 2 weeks being grounded at home for simply trying to change the spelling on my homework to keep from being teased! I grew up feeling that this name was a torturous curse. As I became aware of my individuality and uniqueness I slowly accepted the name.

When I became a "Chef" the name took on a whole new meaning. "Chef Geoff" then became "Geoffboyardee"! I'm having sooo much fun with this name now. MY NAME MEANS "GODS PEACE".

Following the "G" line may indeed lead to Germanic roots, yet when following the "J" line, the history of the name leads back to the eldest son of Noah, Japhet. If you can manage to pronounce these letters as: jeffy, then you can see the relationship. The name becomes a feminine name as 'Yaffa', and a last name in 'Japhee'. The name make further travels into Espanol where 'jeffe' means Boss, Note the similarity of the homophone 'chief' to 'chef' to 'jeffe'Additionally: chaperone, schaeffer, gaffer, and jeopardy.The last being the greater clue in the mystery of names.

I have always hated this spelling. It seems like pretentious people choose this ancient and nowadays illogical spelling of Jeffrey because they are so conservative that they can't tolerate any changes in spelling, and language in general. I say, be modern and spell it logically as Jeffrey! This just looks heavy and dated.

I have found the earliest use of "Geof", was the peagan word "Geofu". Which meams "Gift". Turned into the name in early Germania. As Christianity emerged it was not acceptable by Romans to consider any other child as a gift other than Christ. It was then changed to Geoffrey, meaning "Gifted one" eventually it's meaning lost, and spelling and pronuciation changed as Christianity became more prominant. This explaination was provided to my mother in Germany before I was born and was the reason why she chose this name for me.

This name is indeed Norman, but you have the wrong derivation. It comes from giffre + roi = the eaglehawk of the king = the king's trusted messenger --- back in the days we were labeled by job or location (cooper, river, etc.)

Whether it's spelt like this or the other way ("Jeffrey"), I don't really mind as it's such a nice name, honestly. (:

― Anonymous User 4/14/2014

I'm American and was given the name Geoffrey on my birth certificate, but so few Americans know how to pronounce it correctly (kids and even some adults said "Joffrey" and "Jee-Off-ry") that we changed it to Jeffrey and Jeff when I was a child. Even I'm a bit confused when I see the British name "Geoff" (looks like Jee-Off at first) and realize it is pronounced "Jeff."

When spoken, it sounds casual/relate-able and when read (like on a job application), it makes it clear his parents were educated, and that his parents probably sent him to private school instead of one of the U.S.'s utterly terrible public schools.